SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (Friday, February 3, 2006) - Rest Haven South, a skilled nursing center in South Holland, Illinois, was delighted to calculate that five of their resident couples represent more than 300 years of marriage. Allen and Frances VanVuren, the “newlyweds” of the group, have been married 54 years, while Harry and Dorothy Kampenga, the most senior of the sweethearts, will celebrate their 70th anniversary this November. Other “senior sweethearts” include Philip and Magdalena Gonzales (58 years), Sam and Betty Hibma (61 years), and Bruno and Irene Trawinski (65 years). The Kampengas say it’s fairly simple to make your marriage last. “Just don’t die. That’s the main thing,” shrugs Harry. Getting married fairly young helps too. Harry met Dorothy at the roller rink when she was 15 and he was 17. They dated for three years before getting engaged, and following a two-year engagement they were married at ages 20 and 22.

Caption: Dorothy and Harry Kampenga are among five Rest Haven couples who have been married more than 50 years. The Kampengas will celebrate their 70th anniversary on November 7, 2006.

The Kampengas say it’s fairly simple to make your marriage last. “Just don’t die. That’s the main thing,” shrugs Harry. Getting married fairly young helps too. Harry met Dorothy at the roller rink when she was 15 and he was 17. They dated for three years before getting engaged, and following a two-year engagement they were married at ages 20 and 22.

“We didn’t have a honeymoon,” says Dorothy. “I had to work that Saturday morning, we got married that Saturday night, and we both had to be back to work Monday morning!” Getting married during the Depression meant there was not a lot of extra spending money for luxuries like travel. But the Kampengas made up for lost time with an active, travel-filled retirement, including three trips to Hawaii.

The Kampengas moved into the Holland Home in 2003, but a broken leg forced Harry to take advantage of the additional care Rest Haven South could provide. Dorothy visits him at least three times a week, walking the path between the two buildings whenever weather permits. In a sense, they are continuing a family tradition: Harry’s mother lived at the original Holland Home in Roseland, and Dorothy’s parents were the first residents when Rest Haven South was built in 1975. In fact, her father, a lay preacher, served as chaplain in those early days.

Rest Haven South is located at 16300 Wausau Avenue and the Holland Home is located at 16300 Louis Avenue in South Holland, Illinois. For more information, call 708-596-5500.

Rest Haven South is a skilled nursing facility committed to promoting independence by providing Christ-like nursing care and service to seniors. Founded and supported by local churches, Rest Haven South is part of the Rest Haven Christian Services family of ministries. For more information about Rest Haven South, please visit www.resthaven.com.

ABOUT REST HAVEN CHRISTIAN SERVICES

Founded and supported by local Reformed and Christian Reformed churches, Rest Haven Christian Services has served thousands of retirees in the past 90 years. Rest Haven Christian Services offers the complete spectrum of senior services, including Independent Town Homes, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Sheltered Care, Alzheimer’s Programs, Intermediate Care, Home Health Services, Hospice Care, Respite Stays, Rehabilitation Services, and Skilled Nursing Care. Rest Haven is committed to providing excellent service that enriches life and preserves independence. For more information, please visit www.resthaven.com.